Would you move to Newport News? (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake: homes, neighborhoods, schools)

[artistatheart]

Hi. My family and I are considering a move to Newport News. My husband would have a good job (around $60,000/year) with a good company, but the things I've heard about NN are not terribly positive. We want to live close to his place of work (his last commute was 40 miles one way and we are soooo done with that) so moving to another (possibly nicer) town is not really something we're looking to do. Are there nice places within Newport News to raise a family (we have three young kids and homeschool, so schools are not really relevant)? If not, are there nice areas near NN (less than a 30 minute commute)?

If you didn't already live there, would you move to Newport News?

Thanks so much!

[ToughLuv]

I live in Newport News, there are better places for a family, check into Williamsburg. But since schools are "irrelevant" in your situation Newprt News would be ok I guess, there are the Menchville and Colony Rd Areas, And if your looking more mid-town I would say Harpersville area. I think they would fit you perfectly, nice housing areas but not to expensive.

[holmesmic]

I live in San Antonio now but when I lived in Viriginia (left there just about a year ago) I lived in Newport News and LOVED it....no problems whatsoever. There are good areas and there are bad areas as with any city. We lived in Colony Pines. My son was 2.5 years old when we where there and it was great...all of my neighbors had similar age kids.

What area of town will your hubby be working? Keep in mind that traffic in the area is pretty thick and your husband could end up with a 30 minute commute without even living very far away. Also consider that the cost of living (housing) in the area is pretty high. I would look into how far $60,000 will go.

There is also a great local mom's group where you might gain some perspective on the area from a mom's point of view... there are groups for just about any "type" of mom you could imagine... including families who homeshool. Check them out at: peninsulamommies (dot com).

Good luck in your decision!

[damian]

I live in NN and can help. There are definitely very nice parts of the city, and York County which is right next to NN is also nice. What area of the city will your husband be working in? Since you have kids, check out the following areas: Hilton, Riverside, Hidenwood, Menchville, Denbigh Plantation, Kiln Creek, Colony Pines, Port Warwick- all nice neighborhoods in the city

[ToughLuv]

Yea Hilton, Kiln Creek, Colony Pines, Port Warwick and Hilton are very nice, but they seemed to be out of your price range. Nonetheless, basically the BEST areas the city has to offer.

I tried to give more middle class areas.

[artistatheart]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies! After reading some of the other threads, I was afraid everyone would say NN was a terrible place to live--I'm so pleasantly surprised!

Another question: My husband is really into the outdoors. I know NN is near the water, but are there many foresty (is that even a word?) areas nearby? Parks, preserves, etc.?

[damian]

Originally Posted by artistatheart

Thank you so much everyone for your replies! After reading some of the other threads, I was afraid everyone would say NN was a terrible place to live--I'm so pleasantly surprised!

Another question: My husband is really into the outdoors. I know NN is near the water, but are there many foresty (is that even a word?) areas nearby? Parks, preserves, etc.?

Newport News has lots of Parks and trails. The traditional, older part of the city is in the southern and eastern end of the locality. The rest used to be part of a county, thus there is still lots of open area. If you end up living in the Hilton/Riverside area, you will be next to the Noland trail and Park, which is a 5 mile trail around a lake next to the James River. If you look more towards Colony Pines/Denbigh you will be next to the NN Park, one of the largest I believe on the East coast. There are other parks near NN in Hampton, York County and Williamsburg, not to mention all the water around here

[stacylee926]

The peninsula area (specifically Williamsburg, York County) is more densly forested than Newport News or the Southside (Chesapeake, Va Beach). This whole area is very outdoorsy since the winters are milder and we are close to the ocean and bay. I have a coworker who golfs all year and kayacks for 3 seasons.

My dad lives in Newport News and everything is close by - he feels safe there.

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by artistatheart

Hi. My family and I are considering a move to Newport News. My husband would have a good job (around $60,000/year) with a good company, but the things I've heard about NN are not terribly positive. We want to live close to his place of work (his last commute was 40 miles one way and we are soooo done with that) so moving to another (possibly nicer) town is not really something we're looking to do. Are there nice places within Newport News to raise a family (we have three young kids and homeschool, so schools are not really relevant)? If not, are there nice areas near NN (less than a 30 minute commute)?

If you didn't already live there, would you move to Newport News?

Thanks so much!

I dont think Newport News is any different than any other city, you have good areas and bad areas. Basically, the only true no-go areas are anywhere South of Mercury Blvd, Denbigh, and anywhere near I-664. I think you would like Menchville a lot. What kind of price range do you have? We'd be able to give you more ideas.

[Rita Mordio]

Well, I'm another person to add to the Newport News list. I decided to move back up to Newport News (used to live in Virginia Beach right down the road from another poster here:Erma) after a few years of trying to decide.

I live at the very northern end of Newport News and absolutely love it. Within just a few minutes, I can easily reach Busch Gardens or go the other way and get to the Newport News City Park; there's also the Noland Trail and Park (which another poster mentioned).

Newport News does indeed have a bad reputation, but it's mainly because of the lower-east section. As long as you stay away from there, you'll be fine. I've never gone east on Denbigh past Warwick, but I have driven through between Warwick and Jefferson. Wouldn't want to live there, but not "scared for my life" just passing through.

Though, they are doing some great rennovations on Denbigh past Jefferson(near the DMV and such).

Where is your husband going to be working? Depending upon where he works, you could just as easily live in York County, Williamsburg, or James City County and still be within the 30 minute range.